We've seen Schumacher and Raikkonen compete against each other on the race track – they competed for six years until Michael retired in 2006. But notwithstanding a few promotional events, they never had the same equipment, and in F1 that makes all the difference. The two world-champion Ferrari drivers will finally have their showdown tomorrow when they both get behind the wheel of the F2008 at Barcelona.
Although Schumacher has been helping out with testing on a semi-regular basis, the past few sessions had him driving alongside his protégé Massa or old friend Luca Badoer (the team's official test driver). It will also reportedly be the first time Schumacher has driven the new car, having previously piloted developmental versions of last year's F2007, and the last test session before the first grand prix of the season in Melbourne on March 16. We'll be monitoring today's test session to see a frustrated Kimi pretend like he doesn't care and a magnanimous Schumacher lightheartedly agree.
[Source: F1-Live, Photo by Vladimir Rys/Bongarts/Getty ]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Quattrofan @ Feb 25th 2008 9:59AM
If I was Kimi, I'd obviously would wanna do better then Schumi, but being on the same team, you could hardly call this a "face off".
BPeredo @ Feb 25th 2008 10:17AM
I'd like to see a real showdown between the two drivers outside of a Ferrari test session. I doubt 'fastest lap time' is the main objective for this session. Reliability, fuel strategy, and long-term pace are also tested. It's likely that each driver will not have similar setups and onboard fuel.
Still, it'd be interesting to see who comes out on top, regardless.
Franz @ Feb 25th 2008 11:30AM
Times in testing aren't conclusive. Unless they're running the exact same setup and fuel load, you can't even think about making direct comparisons.
Adam @ Feb 25th 2008 11:55AM
It's true, the 'results' won't be definitive... interesting though. Fact is, Schumacher is retired, so Kimi's top dog either way. I'd imagine his interviews will reflect this same opinion. ;)
bill @ Feb 25th 2008 1:53PM
The Kimster will probably have laid the groundwork for beating Schumi by engaging him in a drinking contest the night before. Due to his greater experience with adult beverage consumption Kimi should prove to be quicker with a hangover than Michael. On the other hand Michael may have suspected this kind of subterfuge and been in training for at least a month by spending nights getting seriously drunk. This is why I love F1.
Adam @ Feb 26th 2008 2:43PM
Raikkonen fastest... no surprise, Autoblog doesn't post a follow-up. Schumi fanboys, they are. ;)
KELSEYONDO @ Feb 28th 2008 11:00AM
not to be a prick or anything but the competed to gether for six years untill KIMI retired ( he retired a year or two befor michael to go to DTM)